Asbagh bin Nubatah said: Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) passed by some people who were playing chess. He said: "What are these images to which you are devoted?" [Surah al-Anbiya': 52]
For them to hold a live coal until it goes out in their hand is better than for them to touch the chess pieces.
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب الشهادات / 20930